I do stand by my statement that young and small patty pan squashes have more flavor, better texture, and undoubtedly more kawaii appeal than their bigger brothers, but that’s not to say the latter should be forsaken. Especially when you find one such specimen in your weekly vegetable basket, white and smooth as china.

Inspired by a string of chilly late summer days, I decided to make soup with it, a simple one, made with shallots and chicken stock in under thirty minutes. And to boost the flavor and tie it back to the season — fall, I’m not ready for you yet — I made pesto.

It’s a classic sort of pesto with basil and pine nuts, but instead of parmesan or pecorino I used ricotta salata, a pressed, dried and salted ricotta I’ve been playing with lately: it’s not a very meltable cheese, but I like its tang and milkiness, and it fares well in salads or in this soup condiment.

Because I love interactive dishes — especially soups, which can be a bit one-dimensional otherwise — I served the pesto in a jar at the table, for us to scoop into our bowls, stir, and watch the cream-white soup fleck with green. Add a hunk of fresh-baked pain au levain, and you’ve officially achieved dinner bliss.

Peel and mince the shallots. Remove the stem end and bottom button of the pattypan squash (no need to peel it). Quarter it, and cut it in chunks then slices. Put the stock in a saucepan and bring to a simmer.

In a medium pot, heat a drizzle of olive oil. Add the shallots and a sprinkle of salt, and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, until softened, stirring regularly to avoid coloring.

Add the pattypan squash, sprinkle with salt, and sauté for about 5 minutes. Add the simmering stock, plus any boiling water necessary to completely cover the vegetables. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10 minutes, or until the squash is very soft.

While the soup is simmering, prepare the pesto. In a blender or food processor (you can also work by hand in a mortar if you prefer), combine the basil, cheese and pine nuts. Add a good pinch of salt, some pepper, and a generous drizzle of olive oil, and pulse until smooth. Add more olive oil if necessary for the pesto to come together.

Remove the soup from the heat, put on an apron, and whizz the soup with a stick blender (or in batches in a regular blender) until completely smooth.

Serve hot, but not too hot, sprinkled with freshly ground pepper, with pesto on the side for each diner to add a spoonful to his bowl.

* The recipe makes more pesto than you’ll need for this soup; I doubt that will be a problem.

You have beaten me. A vegetable I have not tried so far, and you even claim it tastes faintly of artichokes: one of my favourite flavours ever! I hope I can find one to try soon, and I can even ignore its size now :)

http://theperfectpastry.blogspot.com margie

Would you believe that I’ve never eaten summer squash soup? I’ve been intending to try some all summer and I just haven’t gotten around to it.

However, I just made a big batch of pesto, so I may have to pull some out of the freezer and give this one a try…

http://bewitchingkitchen.com SallyBR

I confess to being anti-pattypan squash, I find them cute to look at but unappetizing to eat.. Not sure why, something about the odd shape (I know it’s silly of me…)

would you mind if I use old fashioned zucchini instead? ;-)

soup season is right at the corner, this sounds perfect (by the way that soup you have on your first book, courgette au sesame, is one of our all time favorites!)

http://www.edenkitchen.com Joe @ Eden Kitchen

This sounds delicious. I’ve never cooked with pattypan squash before but will give it a go next time I see them at the market. Thanks :)

http://alimenta-criss.blogspot.com/ ALIMENTA

MMMMMmmmmmm delicioso!!!

http://www.fromsingletomarried.com Tabitha (From Single to Married)

I have to say that I’ve never cooked with shallots before (I’m still what you would call a “newbie”) so I appreciate the detailed directions. This recipe looks fabulous!

http://chocolateandzucchini.com clotilde

You can think of shallots as elongated onions, really, and handle them the exact same way, but they’re usually less pungent, and more delicate in flavor.

http://www.wearenotmartha.com Sues

Oooh I’ve never thought to add pesto to soup but that’s such a fabulous idea! Now I need to get my hands on some pattypan squash!

http://cookanddishwasher.blogspot.com newlywed

This looks just lovely! Pattypan squash are my favorites, but I too have been quite disappointed by some of the bigger fellows. I am glad to find a recipe for those!

http://applesundermybed.blogspot.com Heidi – Apples Under My Bed

Sounds delicious! Especially served with pesto & bread as you did. The ricotta salata is a nice, refreshing and different ingredient for the pesto – I’m keen to try it :) Heidi xo

http://bilingualbutter.blogspot.com Lucie

Clotilde, I’ve got to admit the latest dreary days in Paris have made me long for soup as well… I’ve been keeping it summer-like with tomato soup, but I’m pretty sure heartier versions are in the upcoming future! Your soup looks and sounds really delightful.

http://www.icebergtoarugula.com Julie

Very simple recipe indeed, the very best kind for Summer days! I have also found the same basic formula (stock + cooked vegetable + onion family member)you use here works outstaningly well for other veggies such as peppers, carrots, spinach, etc. Nicely adaptable recipe.

http://www.noclipmode.com Gabriel Hummel

Pesto!? I read that one word and immediately knew that I would want to take a bath in this soup.

Excellent recipe, cannot wait to take my crackpot shot at it.

http://www.joeinvegas.blogspot.com/ joeinvegas

Getting into cool weather warm soup season. This does sound good.

http://spicesavant.blogspot.com Ameya

This looks and sounds so tasty! I love squash and pesto, and I know I’m going to need lots of soup recipes to get me through the Paris winter this year! I think a little feta cheese sprinkled on top would add a very nice touch as well.

http://www.cozydelicious.com Katie@Cozydelicious

Yum! I never know what to do with pattypan squash. I love thhe idea of soup. Perfect!

Rachel

This looks lovely – and very appropriate for my part of the world, where apart from a few warm weeks summer has pretty much refused us its presence!

I hope this doesn’t seem like a silly question, but do you think this would work just as well with small young pattypan squash? I’ve never seen the larger ones at my farmer’s market.

http://chocolateandzucchini.com clotilde

It would absolutely work with small/young pattypan squash, and the soup would probably taste better for it. It would also be possible to use zucchini, the regular size or those overgrown ones.

http://www.choosingraw.com Gena

I’m sort of with you on pattypan squash — I think it’s an easy target because other winter and summer squashes are so wholly perfect. But you certainly made the best of it here!

And I adore pesto in any soup. Especially a nice swirl of pesto in a white bean or pumpkin soup — that’s a spoonful of heaven.

http://www.frenchaz.blogspot.com dianne

I am a first time visitor to your blog and would you believe I’ve never heard of patty-pan squash!! I’m thinking that we have it here in Australia under another name – the soup looks delicious! ~Dianne~

http://sendfood.wordpress.com jodye @ ‘scend food

This sounds like a wonderful soup. I do admit I’ve neglected pattypan squash in the past, but I do believe I’ll be using it more in the future, namely in this soup!

http://www.extremehomeworkout.com Jessica

I have never tried, or even seen a pattypan squash. I will have to give this one a try. I love finding new food tastes!

http://limecake.net LimeCake

i’ve no idea what pattypan squash is either. but i love simple soups like this, especially with crusty bread.

http://www.simplytastyfood.com Articut at simply tasty food

I never try this combination but it looks fresh and light, so i must to; i’ll let you know my feedback

Michelle

Clotilde, you weren’t kidding about the apron! :-)

http://acujoy.com/health Tuvi

Thank you for this yummy recipe, I’m going to try it. I am an acupuncturist by trade and I also love good food, so I’m always on the lookout for tasty and healthy recipes to pass along to my patients. Yours fit the bill! Merci encore Clotilde!

http://melbourneseasonaleating.blogspot.com Alison

We do have pattypan squash in Australia, Dianne – look in the organics section at the markets. I never buy it larger than 2 inches in diameter, and usually smaller (smaller squash have a firmer texture and more delicate flavour). However, it is good to see a way to use an overblown squash – thanks Clotilde!

Velia Antila

I use the white Mexican zucchini for my version of this soup. It differes in that I do not use nuts, basil or olive oil. Instead I use “epazote” a mexican herb for flavoring and sautee briefly the zucchini and shallots in butter before adding chicken broth, and proceeding to smooth in blender.

http://www.mistressbeek.com Chantal

HINT: If your squash is large, you do in fact need to peel it.

Eliza

I was so happy to find a recipe to use all of the scalloped squash from my garden! I didn’t have a 9″ squash, so I used several smaller ones. I used pesto I purchased from the store, which was still delicious. For a little texture in the soup, I cut up a separate squash and sauteed it with butter, salt, and a little sprinkling of thyme. Really yummy!!

http://chocolateandzucchini.com clotilde

So glad to hear it, Eliza, thanks for reporting back!

http://www.ericaindenalpen.blogspot.com Erica

Today was a cold, rainy, end-of summer day. I also had a patty pan squash laying around, so it decided to try this recipe. My significant other is reluctant to try new vegetables, but I just said it was zucchini and it was a hit! Also, I was delighted to discover how easy home-made pesto is. I wonder why I’ve never tried it before? Merci, pour un bon repas ce soir!

http://chocolateandzucchini.com clotilde

This is indeed the perfect recipe for a chilly late summer night, and I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Also, I’m excited for you that a whole new world of pesto recipes awaits you. :)

Diana Thompson-Sorric

Clotilde where have you been all my life? Thanks to your blog and can harvest, prepare and process all the over-abundance of vegetables from my garden. I am making this with all my bowling ball sized squash now! Thank you! Merci pour tous les bonnes idees!

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About Clotilde

Clotilde Dusoulier is a French food writer based in Paris. Her focus is on fresh, colorful, and seasonal foods, making room for both wholesome, nourishing dishes and sweet treats.

An enthusiastic explorer of flavors and observer of culinary trends, she contributes to international food and travel magazines, and writes cookbooks and guidebooks. She lives in Montmartre with her boyfriend and their young son. Learn more »